Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents

was at least 10 per cent. above the previous year." In the central section, and running up to the north, also, there was "an increase of 10 per cent." In some places they rotted in the ground, and this was then attributed to the "hot and dry weather." Again, from one who is well fitted to form a fair estimate, we have the following information: "Large quantities were planted, and the cool weather was very favorable for their growth; and the quantity and quality of the crop are extra. Some complaint has been made on the seaboard, and some parts of the interior, of the wet; and some farmers have lost nearly the whole of their crop; and yet the average throughout the whole territory is more than in former years, owing to the increased attention paid to the crop." It would seem probable that from 15 to 20 per cent. advance on the crop of 1843 may be allowed.

As early as May, the prospect for the potato crop in New Hampshire is said, in some of the agricultural journals, "not to be flattering;" and we accordingly find that the disease prevailed here, greatly to the diminution of the amount gathered. One of our informants in the lower part of the State says: "We think potatoes fall short about 30 per cent." Another, more to the east, says that, "though there was a full crop, yet there was a loss of 10 per cent. by the rot or disease;" and yet another good judge in these matters says, 66 suffering more rot-one-fourth less." In the central western part of the State, on the Connecticut river, "the potatoes were early struck with rust, and nearly one-third of the crop has rotted." Lower down, towards the southern boundary, also, the report is: "Greatly injured by the rot; all of one-third of the crop was destroyed. They suffered most on manured lands; on lands not manured, they escaped the disease entirely."

In the central section, towards the eastern border, it is said: "This crop, had it not been for the rot, would have been 25 per cent. better than in 1843; but I should think about 10 per cent. will be lost by the rot, as several farmers have informed me that they have continued to rot ever since harvested.

In the whole State, the average decrease was, we think, full 25 per cent. from the crop of 1843, which was itself less than an average one.

Vermont likewise possesses a fine soil and climate for potatoes, and the crops there are usually rich and abundant. But the crop of 1844 suffered from the general evil. The decrease is differently estimated from 10 to 30 per cent., or still higher. One person says the loss was one-third of the crop. We may fix it at 25 per cent. In an agricultural journal, we find the following remarks:

"So readily may potatoes be produced by the mellow rich soil of the northern counties of Vermont, that the price of 12 and 18 cents a bushel, delivered at the starch mill, makes that one of the most profitable crops. In many towns, starch mills have been in operation, and it has become quite common for an ordinary farmer to raise his one, two, and three thousand bushels of potatoes in a season. In the entire Green Mountain region, from Berkshire on the south, to the Canada line on the north, there has been such a failure in the crop of potatoes that it is said there will be none left the present year for the manufacture of starch."

The potato crop in Massachusetts, in the northern section of the State, running towards the east, is described as being "full an average crop, not affected by rottenness or any new disease." Nearer to the ocean, however,

Much has been said and written respecting the use of corn stalks as fodder for cattle, &c. Some remarks and extracts from agricultural journals, on this subject, may likewise be found in the appendix. (See No. 7.)

As the corn crop has suffered so much by the drought during the last season, in various parts of the country, it may be useful to remark here, that it appears, by an experiment mentioned in some of the agricultural journals, that "corn planted last spring, in very dry, sandy soils, and when suffering from drought, on being served with a pint of ashes to a hill, revived and did well."

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The subject of corn-stalk sugar, and the relation it bears to the corn crop, may be appropriately considered under the head of sugar.

Some remarks were made in a former report on the subject of broom corn. It is now stated that this seed is excellent to fatten sheep, and that they are fond of it, and will fatten better on it than on Indian corn. Broom corn is thought, by one, who has thus used it, to be more valuable for sheep than oats, or any grain, pound for pound.

It is said that "large quantities of the brush of broom corn, raised in the valley of the Ohio and elsewhere, have been shipped to England within three months past, together with broom handles, for the purpose of manufacturing brooms. By managing in this way, we understand that brooms can be afforded cheaper in Great Britain than if made here and exported."

Saltpetre is often used as a preparation for the seed. Some caution is necessary in its application, as appears by a trial mentioned in an agricultural paper, in which it is stated, that where too much saltpetre was used, the kernels were reddish and decayed. The proper proportion may be ascertained by experiments, though something must depend on the nature of the soil and the circumstances of the season.

POTATOES.

When, the last year, (1843,) the potato crop was found in many parts of the country to have suffered from a new disease, it was hoped that it might prove temporary, and that during another year it would be seen that the loss was owing to some peculiarity of the season, which would not operate again; but, from the reports for the year 1844, it is to be feared the worst is not yet experienced. The crop, in other respects promising, seems to be much cut off by the evil before mentioned; and, what is still more disastrous, it appears to be extending into districts which have before been free from it. This will be seen by referring to the notices which we have been able to gather respecting it. Though an important crop for the comfort of the inhabitants of our country, yet, for some reason or other, it does not seem to engage the notice of the agricultural journals while in the earlier progress of its growth.

The soil and climate of Maine appear to be peculiarly well adapted to the cultivation of potatoes; and it has here, happily, in a great degree escaped the destruction which has caused such injury in the other New England States.

In some of the earlier notices which we find of the potato crop, we are informed that it appears well," and "promises to be an abundant crop." Such was the result. In the southeast section of the State, it is said that "more was planted than in any previous year," and there was "a good crop, and but few have rotted; the quality is good ;" and in quantity it

As early as May, the prospect for the potato crop in New Hampshire is said, in some of the agricultural journals, "not to be flattering;" and we accordingly find that the disease prevailed here, greatly to the diminution of the amount gathered. One of our informants in the lower part of the State says: "We think potatoes fall short about 30 per cent." Another, more to the east, says that," though there was a full crop, yet there was a loss of 10 per cent. by the rot or disease;" and yet another good judge in these matters says, 66 suffering more rot-one-fourth less." In the central western part of the State, on the Connecticut river, "the potatoes were early struck with rust, and nearly one-third of the crop has rotted." Lower down, towards the southern boundary, also, the report is: "Greatly injured by the rot; all of one-third of the crop was destroyed. They suffered most on manured lands; on lands not manured, they escaped the disease entirely."

In the whole State, the average decrease was, we think, full 25 per cent. from the crop of 1843, which was itself less than an average one.

"So readily may potatoes be produced by the mellow rich soil of the northern counties of Vermont, that the price of 124 and 18 cents a bushel, delivered at the starch mill, makes that one of the most profitable crops. In many towns, starch mills have been in operation, and it has become quite common for an ordinary farmer to raise his one, two, and three thousand bushels of potatoes in a season. In the entire Green Mountain region, from Berkshire on the south, to the Canada line on the north, there has been such a failure in the crop of potatoes that it is said there will be none left the present year for the manufacture of starch."

in the same direction, it is said to have been "15 per cent. short of the usual crop, as they were diseased."

In the central sections, it is thought to have been "25 per cent. less than in 1843." And in a public journal we find the following: "We passed through western Massachusetts (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties) a few days since, and found the potatoes almost every where suffering from a modification of the same disease. The tops died prematurely, before they had gained their maturity. We did not learn that the potatoes any where had commenced rotting. Some that we saw dug in Hampshire county were sound and good. The latest planted suffered the most." Again, under date from Westfield, near the Connecticut river, it is said, (November 21) "The potato crop throughout this region has suffered severely from some cause not yet fully ascertained." Similar remarks occur in the region of Greenfield, Barre, and Pittsfield. The whole crop must, without doubt, have fallen off at least from 25 to 30 per cent.

In Rhode Island, there were parts of the State where the crop was very good, and little loss was experienced from the rot. This is stated to have

been the case in the western section of the State. But in the eastern section the crop is estimated at " 20 per cent. less than in 1843;" and the cause assigned is the early drought. Taking the whole State through, it seems fair to allow a decrease of about 10 per cent.

The potato crop of Connecticut fell off from 25 to 30 per cent. Indeed, some estimates in particular sections of the State place the loss still higher. Thus, of the central part, bordering on the Connecticut river, it is said, "potatoes suffered much from drought and hot weather, and the rot injured them very materially; not more than half a crop." In the southwestern section, also, it is stated that "potatoes come short; a blight on them will decrease the crop one-half; but still there will not be a scarcity."

The early notices of this crop in the State of New York are somewhat diverse. In July, in western New York, we are informed that "the potatoes on dry land look well; on wet, will not produce much." Again: “On wet land, will not produce as much as usual, but there will be an average crop." In the central part of the State, also, in July, it is said, "potatoes promise well." Again, July 11: "Potatoes look well, but farmers say they need rain very much." July 21st, an agricultural paper in this section of the State says: "The season has been favorable to this valuable crop; and, so far as we can learn, there will be an abundant yield. Young potatoes appeared in our market some ten days since, of good size and fair quality.

In the vicinity of New York, early in September, it is stated: "The early plantings have turned out well; but the late crops are in danger of being injured by the worm; some of the vines are prematurely dead." From Buffalo, under date of September, we have the following intelligence:

"Potatoes yield well, but the rot has attacked them throughout the country. There is hardly a town in this section from which I have not heard; and, in all, this dreaded disease has made its appearance. How much it will lessen its product, is yet to be seen. In one instance, a farmer told me one-half of each hill was affected so much as to be a total loss." So, in the middle of September, the south towns of Erie county are said to have suffered great loss in this crop; and in Genesee and Wyoming counties not inconsiderable. In the vicinity of Utica, under date of August 31, the black rot is said to have injured the potatoes.

Other informants furnish the same account of the injury sustained in this State. With scarcely an exception, the evil pervaded the whole State. Thus, in the northeast, on Lake Champlain, we are told "the potato crop was much injured by rotting in the ground; and from this cause, as well as the stopping of the growth, the crop diminished one-half." At the north, it is said, "a fair crop in quantity, but injured by the rot." In the vicinity of Oswego and Madison counties, "50 per cent. decrease on the crop of 1843." In Onondaga county, "the crop is almost a failure, and will not exceed a quarter of a crop; they commenced rotting in the hill before the full-grown tops decayed." In Tompkins and Chemung counties, "quite short-injured by disease." In Yates county, it is said that "there were more raised this year than last, but large quantities have rotted." In Seneca and Wayne, "the potato crop was small; it was injured by the drought in August and September. Potatoes that were planted early in the season were not as much affected with the rot as those that were planted late."

From Steuben and Allegany, the report which reaches us is, "half of a crop, compared with 1843, owing to disease." In some other sections, (as in Genesee and Wyoming,) it is said the crop was "much injured by disease, but the quantity saved was as large as in 1843."

In Niagara county, "potatoes have been only a medium yield or quality, although the disease or decay by rotting has not exceeded from 2 to 6 per cent. The crop in 1843 was light, on account of the very dry season which came on the last of May. The increase this year is probably from 5 to 10 per cent."

In Cattaraugus, where it is a favorite crop, it is stated that it was "a good crop; here and there some injury from the rot, but not extensive."

In the counties of Cayuga and Cortland, it is said," injured by rot-crop hardly middling." An agricultural journal, in October, says: "In our last we observed that the potato crop bade fair to be a heavy one. Since then, we have heard great complaints of their failure; and the present impression is, that not more than half a crop can be relied on."

In Oneida county, it is stated, "the potato crop is nearly destroyed by rust." In the vicinity of the Mohawk valley, the crop is stated to have suffered from 50 to 75 per cent. decrease, because of the rot." In Otsego county, "a bad and small crop, much affected with rot." And in Schoharie county, an informant says: "The potato crop is small; some of my neighbors have lost their entire crop; and I should think one-half of the potatoes of the county are diseased. The largest potatoes are generally rotten. All the potatoes dug while the vines were green below the ground were sound; where the vines were dry and wilted, the potatoes were found more or less diseased." In Rensselaer county, it was a very short crop, being injured by the disease." In Columbia county and vicinity, about "three-fourths of a crop." In Ulster and Delaware, "not more than half a crop, owing to the rot." In Dutchess and Putnam, "not a crop." In Westchester and Rockland, "an entire failure." "In some farms, the crop has so rotted in the ground, that scarcely any portion of them will be worth digging; and in nearly all the fields the injury has taken place to more or less extent." Similar information is given respecting the crop on parts of Long Island, near New York, where there is said to have been a "general failure." In Orange county, under date of September 21st, notwithstanding the intensity of the drought, "the po

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